Where to Check Your SSDI process Status
You can check your SSDI process status online through my Social Security, the official Social Security Administration portal. This is the fastest way to see where your case stands without calling or visiting an office. You will need to create a my Social Security account if you do not already have one.
To access your status, go to ssa.gov/myaccount, sign in with your username and password, and select "View my case status" from the dashboard. The system shows you the current stage of your process — whether it is under initial review, sent to a medical examiner, pending a decision, or approved. The information updates as your case moves through the system, though not always in real time.
If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can create one in about 10 minutes using your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address. You will also need to verify your identity through one of two methods: uploading a photo of your driver's license or passport, or answering security questions based on your credit history.
Key Takeaways
- my Social Security is the official place to check your process status and is updated as your case progresses through the Social Security Administration.
- You must create a my Social Security account and verify your identity before you can view your case status online.
- The status page shows which stage your process is in but does not always update the same day a change occurs in your file.
- If your status has not changed in 30 days or you see an error, contact the Social Security Administration by phone or in person to confirm what is actually happening with your case.
What Each process Status Means
The my Social Security portal uses several status labels, and each one tells you what is happening with your case at that moment. "process received" means the Social Security Administration has logged your process into the system but has not yet assigned it to a case worker. This stage usually lasts a few days to a week.
"Under review" means a case worker is examining your medical records, work history, and other documents you submitted. This is the longest stage and can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on how complete your file is and how busy your local office is. If the Social Security Administration needs more information from you, they will mail you a request — check your mailbox regularly during this stage.
"Sent to medical examiner" or "Sent to vocational informed" means your case has moved to a specialist who will review whether your condition prevents you from working. A medical examiner looks at your health records; a vocational informed looks at whether jobs exist that you could do despite your condition. This stage adds two to four weeks to your timeline.
"Decision made" means the Social Security Administration has finished reviewing your case and reached a conclusion. You will receive an official decision letter in the mail within a few days of seeing this status. Do not assume the decision is approved — you must read the letter to know the outcome.
Why Your Status May Not Update for Weeks
The my Social Security status page is not a real-time tracker. Changes to your case file do not always show up on the portal the same day they happen. A case worker might review your medical records and move your file forward, but the system may not reflect that change for several days or even a week.
The most common reason for a long gap with no status change is that the Social Security Administration is waiting for information from you or from a medical provider. If you submitted your process but have not yet sent in medical records, the case is on hold until those records arrive. If the Social Security Administration requested additional documents from you by mail, your case will not move forward until they receive them.
Another reason for delays is that your local Social Security office is processing a high volume of applications. During certain times of year — particularly fall and winter — wait times stretch longer. If your status has not changed in 30 days and you have not received any mail requesting more information, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to ask what is actually happening with your case.
Creating and Securing Your my Social Security Account
To create a my Social Security account, visit ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account." You will enter your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and create a password. The password must be at least 12 characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character (like ! or #).
After you create your account, you must verify your identity before you can view your case status. The Social Security Administration offers two verification methods. The first is to upload a clear photo of the front and back of your driver's license or passport — this usually takes a few minutes and is approved within hours. The second is to answer security questions based on your credit history, which is approved when ready but requires you to remember details about past accounts or loans.
Once your account is verified, you can log in anytime to check your status. Keep your password find and do not share it with anyone. If you forget your password, you can reset it using your email address. If someone else has access to your account, change your password when ready and contact the Social Security Administration.
What to Do If Your Status Shows an Error or Seems Wrong
If your status page shows information that does not match what you remember submitting — for example, it lists a different condition than the one you reported, or shows a date that is incorrect — do not assume the status page is wrong. Contact the Social Security Administration to confirm what is actually in your file. Call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time, and ask to speak with someone about your case.
Bring your Social Security number and the date you submitted your process when you call. Ask the representative to read back to you what they see in your file — the conditions you reported, the date of your process, and the current status. If there is a discrepancy, ask them to correct it and to send you written confirmation of the correction.
If you see a status that concerns you — for example, "Decision made" but you have not received a letter — do not wait. Call the Social Security Administration the same day. A decision letter can take up to two weeks to arrive by mail, but if the status changed more than two weeks ago and you have not received anything, the letter may have been lost or sent to the wrong address. The representative can tell you what the decision was and can request that a new letter be mailed to you.
Checking Your Status Without an Online Account
If you cannot or do not want to create a my Social Security account, you can check your process status by phone or in person. Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Have your Social Security number ready and tell the representative you want to check the status of your SSDI process. They will ask for your date of birth and the date you submitted your process, then will tell you what stage your case is in.
You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Find the address at ssa.gov/locator or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Bring your Social Security card and a photo ID. Wait times at offices vary widely — some offices have short waits, while others may require you to wait an hour or more. Calling ahead to ask about current wait times can help you decide whether to go in person or call instead.
Checking by phone or in person takes longer than checking online, but it gives you the chance to ask follow-up questions. If your case is delayed, a representative can sometimes tell you why and what you can do to move it forward.
Timeline Expectations for Each process Stage
| process Stage | Typical Duration | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| process received | 3 to 7 days | Your process is logged into the system and assigned to a case worker. |
| Under review | 2 to 6 months | A case worker examines your medical records, work history, and submitted documents. You may receive requests for additional information. |
| Sent to medical examiner or vocational informed | 2 to 4 weeks | A specialist reviews whether your condition prevents work or whether jobs exist that you could do. |
| Decision made | Varies | The Social Security Administration has reached a conclusion. You will receive a decision letter by mail within 1 to 2 weeks. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does my status update on my Social Security?
Status updates are not on a fixed schedule. Changes may show up within a day or may take a week. If your status has not changed in 30 days and you have not received any mail from the Social Security Administration requesting more information, call 1-800-772-1213 to ask what is happening with your case.
Can I see the actual medical records the Social Security Administration has for me?
Yes. You can request a copy of your file through my Social Security or by calling 1-800-772-1213. The Social Security Administration will mail you copies of everything in your case file, including medical records, work history, and any notes from case workers. This usually takes 5 to 10 business days.
What does it mean if my status says "decision made" but I have not received a letter?
Decision letters are mailed after the status updates and can take 1 to 2 weeks to arrive. If more than two weeks have passed, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask them to confirm the decision and to mail a new letter to your address. The representative can also tell you what the decision was over the phone.
Do I need to do anything if my status changes to "sent to medical examiner"?
No. The medical examiner will review the records already in your file. You do not need to take any action unless the Social Security Administration mails you a request for more information. Check your mailbox regularly during this stage.
What if I moved and my status is still showing my old address?
Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office to update your address. Provide your new address and ask them to confirm it in the system. This is important because decision letters and requests for information are mailed to the address on file.